Posted by Since taking over as Head Coach at the start of last season there has rarely been any ambiguity around the style of play that Matt Sherratt wants his Cardiff side to play, or the personnel he is selecting to achieve that.
When joining us on the Cardiff Central Podcast in April, Jockey was very clear that he wanted a playmaking 12, a running threat at 13, one bigger, physical winger and one smaller, quicker winger to play the type of high-tempo, expansive attacking rugby that he prefers, and that the Blue & Blacks have historically been known for.
To look through the squad list there are clear examples of exactly those types of players; Ben Thomas and Rory Jennings at 12, Mason Grady and Rey Lee-Lo at 13 with Grady again, Gabriel Hamer-Webb and Josh Adams under the banner of the bigger winger.
Coming on to the smaller, quicker winger and I suspect that most Cardiff fans would instantly think of Theo Cabango, particularly after his excellent form during and post-Six Nations last year. However, that injury suffered against Ospreys at Judgement Day, and a subsequent setback during his rehab, mean we haven’t and won’t see the flyer for some time.
Fortunately it’s been a case of “next men up” at the Arms Park and, between them, Iwan Stephens and Harri Millard have stepped into the role with ease, bringing some x factor to the left wing in Cabango’s absence, as well as supplying plenty of tries!
Both men have that classic left wing poacher trait of holding their width, backing their acceleration and getting in great body positions to slide over in the corner without being nudged into touch by covering defenders. It’s no surprise that they have five tries between them so far this season when you see some of the above clips.
There’s a particular nod to Stephens’ finish against Ulster at the Arms Park, a diving effort straight out of the playbook of someone who grew up playing Rugby League in the north of England.
With the playmaking ability across the 10, 12 and 15 jerseys having that cutting edge in the wide channels is huge for Cardiff’s attacking game, but beyond that both players are very keen to get off their wing and into midfield to impact the game as much as possible.
Stephens has got brilliant timing when to pop up in phase play with maximum impact, using that speed agility to out-pace even opposition centres on that curved run, but it’s Millard’s intervention in the final clip that is particularly effective.
Not only popping up at first receiver and picking out a fine miss-pass, but then staying alive to take the offload and round the final defender to go under the posts. A fine try to evidence the fluid nature of the Cardiff attack.
In a team that sometimes struggles to get consistently over the gain line, being able to create overloads in midfield is key to manufacturing line breaks, as is some sharp handling.
Both players have their background to thank for their handling skills and awareness of what is around them, as well as the space manipulation to make any offloads effective; Stephens with the aforementioned rugby league, and Millard having come through the development pathway as an outside centre where distribution and decision making is more heightened than wing.
Especially impressive is the confidence both players have despite, in the case of Stephens, being so young and, for Millard, having seen game time so impacted by the form of others and his own injuries. When called upon there is no shirking from getting on the ball and trying to make things happen.
That translates to defence too where, in spite of their relatively smaller statures, both players more than pack a punch.
Whether it’s timing spot blitzes or try saving hold-ups, positioning in the back field, or that incredible Millard try saver on Plumtree, he and Stephens both consistently make important interventions defensively to help the team, often putting their bodies on the line to do so.
It’s a great battle between the two of them for the Cardiff 11 jersey at the moment, a battle which can only drive standards and performance across two men with a point to prove and seemingly intent on showing off their qualities every time they pull on the jersey.
Losing players with the quality of Theo Cabango and Mason Grady is tough for any team, but with the likes of Stephens and Millard ready to step up the x factor does not stop at the Arms Park.
Cardiff Rugby Life 